Job Title: Research Alliances Intern, External Research Engagement (Summer 2026 Internship) 

Position Summary:  

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“MJFF”) is seeking top talent for an intern to support external research engagement efforts within the Research Alliances Department. The Research Alliances team builds and manages strategic partnerships with industry, nonprofit institutions, and other research stakeholders to advance MJFF’s scientific priorities and accelerate therapeutic development for Parkinson’s disease (PD).  

This internship will focus on strengthening MJFF’s external positioning within the global research community. The intern will work closely with Research Alliances and Research Marketing to assess how MJFF engages researcher and clinician audiences across scientific conferences, industry forums, and other external channels, and to identify high-impact opportunities to expand and refine that engagement.  

Over the course of the internship, the intern will conduct a comprehensive assessment of MJFF’s external engagement across scientific conferences and industry forums. This includes analyzing historical participation and return on engagement, evaluating audience reach and visibility strategies, and identifying gaps and opportunities to strengthen engagement. Historical tracking will draw from internal MJFF sources, including the Research External Meetings Tracker, which the intern will use to analyze trends and benchmark engagement efforts.  

In parallel, the intern will develop a working understanding of MJFF’s research priorities to ensure analyses and recommendations are aligned with the Foundation’s broader scientific strategy. The intern will synthesize insights into clear, actionable recommendations and contribute to the development of a structured external engagement roadmap to enhance MJFF’s positioning as a leading global research funder and strategic partner. 

Key Responsibilities:  

• Conduct research and competitive analysis on scientific conferences, industry meetings, and other external engagement platforms relevant to MJFF’s research priorities, including assessment of historical participation and return on engagement  

• Analyze internal tracking data (e.g., Research External Meetings Tracker) to evaluate trends in MJFF’s external engagement and inform strategic recommendations  

• Evaluate conference audiences, sponsorship opportunities, and visibility tactics to identify high-impact engagement opportunities and audience gaps   

• Develop a foundational understanding of MJFF’s research priorities and strategic initiatives to ensure alignment of analyses and recommendations   

• Support development of internal strategy documents and recommendations for external engagement activities   

• Contribute to the development of a structured external engagement roadmap aligned with MJFF’s strategic initiatives   

• Present final findings and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders at the conclusion of the internship 

Qualifications and Skills:  

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Public Health, Life Sciences or a related field (or equivalent relevant experience); graduate students encouraged to apply  

• Demonstrated interest in healthcare, life sciences, nonprofit organizations or mission-driven work  

• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate information and identify key insights  

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities  

• Ability to translate complex scientific or organizational information into clear, audience-appropriate messaging  

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail  

• Comfortable working independently while collaborating across cross-functional teams  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel 

Position Summary:  

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Translational Research internship opportunity within our Translational Research department.  This internship will support the Foundation’s scientific staff in collecting, maintaining, and synthesizing information to Foundation-led initiatives when needed.  Successful performers in this role will be able to perform these duties with minimal supervision after the initial introductory and training period, with periodic check-ins for progress updates and feedback. This role will also gain exposure to multiple scientific staff activities across the Foundation for education on the role of a scientist at a nonprofit research funder. The role requires a flexible work approach that may involve supporting staff across various ongoing and new initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities:  

• Collaborate with staff scientists to curate and maintain the latest scientific progress and the Foundation’s funding support for emerging PD therapeutic targets 

• Assist in synthesizing and writing the Foundation’s  grant portfolio summaries around promising MJFF funding programs to be shared with diverse internal and external audiences 

• Update and collate resources for the Foundation’s Translational research activities 

• Shadow scientists and assist with other activities as needed. 
  
• Educate self on current key scientific advances and challenges relevant to Parkinson’s disease 

Qualifications and Skills:  

• Must be currently enrolled in either an undergraduate or graduate scientifically focused degree program 

• Exceptional communication skills, written and verbal 

• Ability to synthesize large amounts of information related to scientific research and summarize audiences with a diverse range of scientific knowledge 

• Ability to work independently with moderate supervision 

• Willingness and ability to learn new scientific concepts quickly and incorporate them into work products 

Salary and Benefits: 

The hourly range for this position is:  

• Undergraduate Students: $18-$20/hour 

• Graduate Students: $20-$22/hour 

Job Title: Director of Major Gifts (East)

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ("the Foundation") is seeking top talent for its Director of Major Gifts (East) position.  Reporting to the VP, Head of Major Gifts, this position plays a key role in advancing the Foundation’s major gifts strategy and supporting the overall goals of the Major Gifts team. This role is designed to empower frontline fundraisers by providing strategic partnership, thought leadership, and structured management so they can focus more deeply on high-impact donor engagement. This position leads a team of frontline fundraisers in their assigned territory providing guidance, coaching, and support to help them achieve and exceed fundraising goals. In addition, this role also stewards a select portfolio of major gift donors, collaborating closely with colleagues across Development and the broader Foundation to ensure coordinated and effective engagement of supporters. This position fosters a high-performing, collaborative team culture rooted in shared accountability, professional growth, and a commitment to excellence in donor relationships and fundraising outcomes. In partnership with the VP, Head of Major Gifts, this leader works closely with fundraisers, ensuring clarity, alignment, and the support needed to drive exceptional donor engagement. 

The successful candidate will bring a strong leadership presence, demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, and proven ability to drive bold multi-year strategies.   

This position may be hybrid-flex with the opportunity to work out of the Foundation’s office in New York City or based remotely within the Eastern region of the United States. 


Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Development 

• Lead, support, and mentor a team of frontline fundraisers responsible for cultivating and soliciting major gifts, providing regular coaching, goal setting, and feedback that promotes growth, confidence, and long-term success 

• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasizes accountability, professional growth, and shared success 

• Partner with the VP, Head of Major Gifts, to identify skill-building opportunities and strengthen team fundraising capabilities 

• Provide advanced coaching on solicitation strategy, multi-year asks, and donor engagement planning, collaborating with staff to build on their existing strengths and expand their capacity for ambitious fundraising 

• Model and cultivate a team culture rooted in excellence, continuous learning, and proactive and meaningful donor engagement 

 
Fundraising Strategy & Execution 

• Execute the Foundation’s major gifts strategy within assigned regions, ensuring alignment with overall goals for the Development business unit 

• Support the VP in setting annual revenue targets, monitoring progress, and implementing course corrections as needed 

• Guide team members in developing tailored donor engagement plans to deepen relationships and secure multi-year commitments 

• Co-develop long-term regional fundraising strategies in partnership with frontline fundraisers that proactively identify growth opportunities and high-impact donor engagement 

• Partner closely with the VP and regional fundraisers to shape regional approaches, contribute to enterprise-wide planning, and drive alignment with the Foundation’s multi-year fundraising goal 

Donor Relationship Management 

• Manage a portfolio of mid- to high-level major donors, leading personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities 

• Demonstrate exceptional presence and skill in navigating complex donor conversations, including high-level, multi-year solicitations 

• Engage directly with top prospects as needed, modeling best-in-class fundraising technique and reinforcing a culture of external relationship development 

• Serve as a trusted partner and Foundation ambassador, effectively communicating the Foundation’s mission, impact, and funding priorities 

• Collaborate across Development to ensure seamless donor experiences and accurate CRM tracking 

Operational Oversight 

• Support team budget management, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently to meet fundraising objectives 

• Partner with internal stakeholders to develop compelling donor materials and campaigns 

• Contribute to data-informed decision-making through accurate revenue tracking and reporting 

• Ensure disciplined pipeline management and strategic use of CRM data to drive proactive donor engagement and forecasting 

• Promote consistent adoption of best practices in strategic fundraising planning, portfolio management, and effective internal communication 

Collaboration & Organizational Alignment 

• Act as a liaison between the Major Gifts team and other Development teams to ensure coordinated donor engagement across revenue lines 

• Represent the Major Gifts team in cross-departmental meetings, sharing insights and best practices 

• Serve as a key thought partner to the VP, contributing to team-wide leadership discussions, decision-making, and long-term planning 

• Foster strong cross-functional relationships and help unify regional strategies in service of multi-year goals 

Qualifications & Skills:

• Relevant experience as a front-line major gift fundraiser, consistently securing multiple six- and seven-figure gifts; experience with large campaigns a plus 

• Demonstrated experience managing and developing front-line fundraisers, shaping team culture, and partnering strategically with leadership 

• Demonstrated ability to execute major gifts strategy, align work to organizational goals, and drive sustained revenue growth 

• Extensive experience conducting high-quality donor visits to engage, solicit, and steward prospects, building long-term relationships 

• Skilled communicator able to translate complex scientific and business concepts for donors and coach others to do the same 

• Highly organized and proactive, able to manage shifting priorities and guide team members in doing so 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and data reporting; working knowledge of Salesforce or similar CRM systems 

• Ability to travel regularly (including occasional weekends) to engage donors across key territories 

• Must have a valid Driver’s License 

Job Title: VP, Head of Transformation Office (Strategic Initiatives)

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ("the Foundation") is seeking top talent for its VP, Head of Transformation Office position.  This newly created role will lead enterprise-wide transformation efforts that ensure the Foundation remains agile, aligned, and positioned for long-term impact.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and working closely with the Strategic Planning & Insights team, this leader will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership—guiding strategic programs, managing organizational change, and incubating new initiatives that strengthen the Foundation’s effectiveness and adaptability.  

The ideal candidate combines strategic foresight, operational excellence, and people-centered leadership to drive transformative progress across the Foundation.   

This position may require in-person attendance on a monthly basis at the Foundation’s office in New York City.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Program Management 

• Lead the design and implementation of major cross-functional initiatives aligned with the Foundation’s mission and strategy 

• Partner with Strategic Planning & Insights to translate long-term goals into actionable, measurable plans 

• Establish governance, metrics, and reporting systems to ensure accountability and impact 

 
Change Leadership and Transformation  

• Serve as the Foundation’s lead change strategist, shaping and guiding organizational transformation efforts 

• Develop and implement a practical change management framework that supports readiness, communication, and adoption 

• Partner with leaders to anticipate challenges, align stakeholders, and embed a culture of adaptability and continuous learning 

• Coach teams and senior leaders to build internal change leadership capabilities 

Response Teams and Rapid Impact Initiatives  

• Launch and lead agile teams to address urgent challenges or opportunities requiring fast coordination and execution 

• Facilitate structured problem-solving and ensure clear ownership, rapid progress, and measurable results 

 
Incubation of New Initiatives  

• Identify and pilot new organizational capabilities or processes that advance the Foundation’s mission and efficiency 

• Define success metrics for early-stage initiatives and manage their transition to sustainable operations 

People Management and Team Development 

• Lead and develop a team that drives cross-functional initiatives and change efforts 

• Set priorities, define goals, and foster accountability for outcomes that enhance organizational agility and impact 

Qualifications & Skills:

• Proven experience leading large-scale organizational transformation and strategic initiatives within complex or mission-driven environments 

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire a team that drives cross-functional initiatives and deliver measurable impact 

• Deep expertise in change management frameworks (e.g., Prosci, Kotter, ADKAR) and ability to adapt them to organizational culture 

• Proven ability to align people, processes, and systems to achieve measurable, enterprise-level outcomes 

• Strategic thinker with strong operational acumen; connects vision to execution and manages governance, risk, and stakeholder engagement 

• Exceptional communicator and trusted advisor skilled at simplifying complexity, building alignment, and influencing senior leaders 

• Mission-driven, inclusive, and adaptable leader who thrives in evolving contexts 
• Advanced degree or change management certification (e.g., Prosci, ACMP) preferred